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How they voted – Simcoe County councillors on Beeton Woods

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In AWARE News Network
May 14th, 2015
7 Comments
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Simcoe County Council

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Hands up in favour of a motion to unconditionally lift the stop work order on the Beeton Forest clearcut: Front row: Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith, Ramara DM John O’Donnell, Tiny Mayor George Cornell, Warden & Penetanguishene Mayor Gerry Marshall (in chair); second row: Ramara Mayor Basil Clarke; back row: Severn Mayor Burkett, Midland DM Mike Ross, Essa Mayor Terry Dowdall, Tiny DM Steffen Walma, Clearview DM Barry Burton.

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Continued, in favour of lifting the stop work order: Front row: Innisfil Mayor Gord Wauchope; second row: Wasaga Beach DM Nina Bifolchi, Midland DM Anita Dubeau; back row: Adjala-Tos DM Doug Little.

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Hands up against to motion to unconditionally lift the stop work order: Front Row: Essa DM Sandie MacDonald; second row: Collingwood Mayor Sandra Cooper, Innisfil DM Dollin, Springwater Mayor Bill French, BWG DM Leduc; back row: Adjala-Tos Mayor Mary Small Brett, Tay Mayor Scott Warnock, Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes (the last two are not visible in the photo but their vote was noted by observers).

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Continued, against the motion to unconditionally lift the stop work order: Front Row: BWG Mayor Rob Keffer, Collingwood DM Brian Saunderson, Oro-Medonte Mayor Ralph Hough; second row: Springwater DM Don Allen; back row: Midland Mayor Gord McKay.

Absent: Severn DM Judith Cox, New Tec Mayor Rick Milne, Tay DM Bill Rawson, New Tec DM Jamie Smith, Clearview Mayor Chris Vanderkruys (note New Tec’s mayor and deputy mayor withdrew because of a conflict of interest, based on that fact their town had asked for the stop work order)

Councillors had given themselves four options:
1. Lift the Stop Work Order and confirm the Special Permit
2. Lift the Stop Work Order and confirm the Special Permit, subject to compliance with the Heritage Act (regarding the potential archeological resources on site
3. Lift the Stop Work Order and confirm the Special Permit, subject to compliance with the Heritage Act and other conditions as determined by Council
4. Confirm the Stop Work Order and revoke the Special Permit

A motion to adopt Option 4 (moved by Hughes, seconded by Leduc) was defeated, a motion to adopt Option 1 (moved by Clarke, seconded by B. Smith) was passed 18-9, according to the County Clerk. But these photos of the final vote show a different result.

Following the vote the clerk read out the following decision (for which there is a 30-day appeal period):

THAT having heard the evidence and the arguments with respect to the appeal by Tecumseth Estates Inc. (Maria Rizzardo) of County of Simcoe Stop Work Order 2015-035 placed on lands described as Part of Lots 8, 9 and 10, Concession 9, being 6386 and 6416 9th Line, New Tecumseth, Ontario, and in consideration that:

The Ministry of Natural Resources provided confirmation that the appellant has complied with the Endangered Species Act, and undertook butternut and companion tree planting in accordance with their agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources;
The appellant undertook an Environmental Impact Study (EIS), to examine any potential impacts to steep slopes and watercourses on the property and surrounding area;
Based on the findings and recommendations of the EIS there is no significant impacts to the watershed anticipated;
Confirmation was received that the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA), County and New Tecumseth Planning Departments accepted the conclusions of the EIS;
The appellant (Tecumseth Estates Inc.) has instructed the Town of New Tecumseth to withdraw her applications for official plan amendment and rezoning by-law for lands described as Part of Lots 8, 9 and 10, Con. 9, Formerly Township of Tecumseth – Part 1 ON 51R-19818;
The Clerk having received additional material which Council having deliberated determined that same should not be considered at this point in the proceeding.
THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the County of Simcoe hereby orders that County of Simcoe Stop Work Order 2015-035 be lifted and the Special Permit issued to Tecumseth Estates Inc. (Maria Rizzardo) be confirmed.

DATED AT the County of Simcoe this 12th day of May, 2015.

 

7 Responses to “How they voted – Simcoe County councillors on Beeton Woods”

  1. Ann says:

    As the pictures clearly show, the vote was 14 in favor and 13 against:
    Option 1. Lift the Stop Work Order and confirm the Special Permit.

    So the vote to continue clear-cutting Beeton Woods was won by only 1 vote!!
    Not 18 to 9 as the county clerk indicated.

  2. Elaine Stephenson says:

    Goes to show, doesn’t it?

  3. Ann says:

    Councillors Anita Dubeau and Brian Smith were not there for the first part of the Beeton Woods Hearing a month ago and didn’t hear the evidence, so why were they allowed to vote? Their votes should not count! That would mean then that the vote for Option 1 was defeated.

  4. Don Molloy says:

    We can’t get a recorded vote?

  5. Stephanie MacLellan says:

    Not only was Councillor Brian Smith absent from the hearing, and should NOT have been able to vote…he was the one that seconded the motion for option one!!!!

  6. Donna Knapp says:

    This whole process was muddied right from the start. And I do not understand how New Tec mayor and deputy mayor could claim “conflict of interest” because they had requested the stop work order??? Do they own the property?? I believe the town was aware right from the beginning that these trees were at risk but it took the residents to initiate the action against the cutting!! Would the town have done so if the residents hadn’t caught wind of the cutting in the first place?

  7. Fred Ekins says:

    Ethics in politics, has it disappeared from local municipal government? Start doing a service to the public that elected you. You cannot honestly make an informed vote on an issue you have not heard all the pertinent arguments. Mr. Smith & Ms. Dubeau, if you can’t attend council session from beginning to end, DON’T show up. Your vote must not be counted as you were seemingly uninterested in this matter. I realize that this is the start of fishing season, but something smells very fishy with this vote by County council.

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